History

The main dates

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

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1954

Invention of the pressuremeter

In 1954, Louis Ménard, a student at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, set himself the goal of devising a single test to measure the ultimate pressure of the soil and its deformation modulus in order to calculate its bearing capacity and settlement. He developed and filed a patent for the device that was to revolutionise geotechnical work: the pressuremeter. In 1957, he set up the “Les Pressiomètres Ménard” company to market his invention, which rapidly and successfully came into use.

1957

Creation of the company "Les pressiomètres Menard"

In 1957, Louis Menard simultaneously worked on the marketing of his invention, setting up a company called "Les pressiomètres Menard" (Menard pressuremeters). Success was quick to follow and he soon had four licensees using his devices. He also convinced the French Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées (Central Civil Engineering Laboratory) to use his equipment.

1959

International development of the pressuremeter

Exported to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Brazil

1962

Launch of the "Sols-Soils" journal & reorganisation of the company

Ever anxious to share his knowledge of the use of the pressuremeter, Louis Ménard launched the bilingual journal "Sols-Soils", with Michel Gambin as editor in chief. This highly technical quarterly publication was initially distributed within the network of licensees but was soon put on general sale.

In the same year, Louis Ménard split the company in two, with "Les techniques Louis Ménard" (Louis Ménard tehcnologies) on the one hand and "Les études pressiométriques Louis Ménard" (Louis Ménard pressure measuring) on the other. This reorganisation gave him the opportunity to develop new products and really establish himself as an entrepreneur, always setting himself apart from his competitors by including structural design and ground improvement follow-up in his offers.

1978

1978

Death of Louis Ménard

1987

Development of Menard Soltraitement

1987 marked a further turning-point in the history of the company, becoming independent once more, when it was sold by its shareholder and taken over by two company managers, Jean-Marie Cognon and Pierre-Marie Bic. The nama "Menard Soltraitement" was adopted.

1988

Development of Menard Vacuum™ (atmospheric consolidation system) in France